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Black Forest Cheesecake Brownie Bars

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These Black Forest Cheesecake Brownie Bars combine a fudgy chocolate brownie base, creamy cheesecake layer, and a sweet-tart cherry glaze for a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dessert. Easy to make and endlessly customizable, they’re perfect for gifting, potlucks, or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese, blended (optional)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with a little cold water)
  • Dark chocolate shavings or chips (optional topping)
  • Extra cherries for garnish (optional)
  • Whipped cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter and sugar until smooth and glossy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.
  3. Add flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Stir gently until just combined. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  4. In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add blended cottage cheese (if using), sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until silky and lump-free.
  5. Gently spread the cheesecake mixture over the brownie layer and smooth with a spatula.
  6. Bake for 32-35 minutes, or until edges are set and center is slightly jiggly. Let bars cool completely in the pan.
  7. While bars cool, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat until cherries break down and mixture thickens (about 8-10 minutes).
  8. Mix cornstarch with a splash of cold water and stir into the cherry mixture. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until glossy and thick. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
  9. Once bars are cool, lift them out using the parchment overhang. Slice into squares (about 16 bars).
  10. Drizzle each bar with cherry glaze. Add chocolate shavings and fresh cherries on top if desired.
  11. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Flavors meld even more after a few hours in the fridge.

Notes

For gluten-free bars, use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. Dairy-free options include vegan cream cheese and coconut yogurt. Frozen cherries work well if fresh aren’t available. Chill bars completely before slicing for clean edges. Cherry glaze can be replaced with canned cherry pie filling in a pinch. Bars taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: black forest, cheesecake brownies, cherry dessert, easy brownies, chocolate cherry bars, potluck dessert, gluten-free option, crowd-pleaser, homemade glaze

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/black-forest-cheesecake-brownie-bars-easy-cherry-dessert-recipe/